While Bahrain has disappeared
from the front pages, there
continue to be regular reports
of demonstrations featuring
violence from protesters and
security forces alike. But despite
the ongoing drama in Bahrain,
this year’s grand prix looks
almost certain to go ahead as
scheduled. In four weeks’ time,
the Formula One circus will be
arriving in Manama.
When asked to comment about
the wisdom of pressing ahead
with the race, Michael Schumacher
admitted he was unconcerned.
“I’m honestly pretty relaxed to
go there,” the German driver told
the assembled media in Sepang.
“From our perspective, one is
obviously that we’re going to be
very well looked after, because
they might foresee whatever and
will be prepared. I’ve quite a few
good friends over there and I’m
pretty sure that for them it’s a very
important event and they just want
to make everybody happy.
“If you look around the world,
you probably find other places
where there might be the
possibility that we could have the
same reasons to think about and
we don’t. So at the end of the day,
I’m pretty sure that they’re going
to do their utmost and we’re going
to be OK.”
Sebastian Vettel and Jenson
Button – both of whom were
asked for their opinions on the
wisdom of racing in Bahrain – toed
the traditional FIA line with their
responses.
“I think for us, as you know,
this is a very difficult subject and
personally, from my point of view,
weneedtolooktotheFIA–forall
of us – for common sense,” Button
said in Sepang on Thursday. “We
will go with what they have to say.”
During Vettel’s Thursday press
call in Sepang, the defending world
champion was asked to give his
opinion on racing in Bahrain. Like
Button, Vettel referred the decision
to the FIA.
“I think, in the end, there’s a lot
of people obviously who – in the
end have to make the decision
whether it’s safe or not. I think if
they decide that it is safe then we
shouldn’t worry. I’m happy to go to
Bahrain.
“Of course it was a shame the
race didn’t happen last year, but
I think ultimately that it was the
right call. We’ll see what happens,
but I’m quite confident it will be
all right.”
At the height of the uprising last
year, Mark Webber was the only
driver to openly oppose the idea of
racing in Bahrain.
“When you hear of people losing
their lives, this is a tragedy,” the
Australian driver said at the time.
“It’s probably not the best time
to go there for a sporting event.
They have bigger things, bigger
priorities.”
Webber was also the only man
to speak against the prospect of
a rescheduled race when it was
discussed in June.
“I hope F1 is able to return to
Bahrain eventually but now isn't
the right time. As a competitor I
do not feel at all comfortable going
there to compete in an event
when, despite reassurances to the
contrary, it seems inevitable that
it will cause more tension for the
people of that country.”
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